Image Courtesy: BBC
UEFA announced on Tuesday that several people were sent to the hospital after being injured by a protestor who parachuted into the stadium before France’s match against Germany at the European Championship. When the parachutist struck wires for an overhead camera linked to the stadium roof, debris fell on the field and the main grandstand, narrowly missing France coach Didier Deschamps.
The governing body of European soccer called it a “reckless and dangerous” act and said, “law authorities will take the necessary action.” “This inconsiderate act caused injuries to several people attending the game who are now in hospital,” UEFA said.
The incident occurred shortly before the start of the Euro 2020 contest between the two most recent World Cup winners. To dodge falling debris, Deschamps was seen ducking into the team dugout. The match ended in a 1-0 victory for France.
The statement “KICK OUT OIL!” and “Greenpeace” was scrawled on the protestor’s parachute.
After connecting with the wires, he looked to lose control as he drifted toward the stadium. He veered away from the playing area and towards the main grandstand, barely clearing the fans’ heads.
When the parachutist made it to the field, Germany’s Antonio Rüdiger and Robin Gosens were the first to reach him. Security stewards escorted him away and he received medical assistance off to the side of the field. Greenpeace has already challenged UEFA and one of its top-tier tournament sponsors, Russian state energy corporation Gazprom.
Greenpeace activists abseiled from the stadium’s roof to hang a banner criticising Russian oil company Gazprom, which sponsored the visiting team, German club Schalke, during a Champions League match in Basel in 2013.
Greenpeace then contributed money to a Basel-supported organisation, which was penalised by UEFA for the security breach. In a statement released on Tuesday, UEFA defended its environmental credentials. “UEFA and its partners are completely committed to a sustainable Euro 2020 event,” the governing body declared, “and several steps to offset carbon emissions have been launched.”